Automatic record changer spindle



March 20, 1951 E. c. GUEDON AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGER SPINDLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 28, 1945 INVENTOR Emile ll. Buednn.

March 20, 1951 E. c. GUEDON 2,545,847

AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGER SPINDLE Filed Dec. 28, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO'R Emile E. Buednn.

BY W

ATT A NEY March 20, 1951 E. c. GUEDON AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGER SPINDLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3- Filed Dec. 28, 1945 INVENTOR Emile [1. fiuedun.

BY yATTfiNEY E. C. GUEDON AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANG ER SPINDLE March 20, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 28, 1945 INVENTOR I Emiie [1. Euedun.

i 9 ATT NEY Patentecl Mai. 20, 1951 AUTOMATIC RECORD CHANGER SPINDLE Emile C. Guedon, Audubon, N. J.

Application December 28, 1945, Serial No. 637,663

2 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic phonographs of the drop type, and it has particular relation to an improved turntable spindle for that form of automatic phonographs of the type specified in which the records are supported above the turntable at their centers by a shoulder on the spindle and at their edges by a supporting device located at one side of the turntable.

In automatic phonographs of the type indicated, it has been common practice to arrange the spindle so that'it can be removed from its mounting in order to facilitate removal of the played records which accumulate on the turntable, since the upper portions of the spindles are offset from the lower portions and offer an impediment to the easy removal of the played records. Constructions involvingsuch removable spindles are objectionable not only because of the inconvenience and burden imposed on the users thereof, but also because the removable spindles must have a more or less loose fit in their mountings and this sometimes causes imperfect operation of the phonographs. There have also been proposed a number of constructions which employ spindles that are not removable, these spindles being provided with pivoted or slidable record detaining members which normally cooperate with all but the lowermost record of the stack to restrain lateral movement thereof and which are moved into a concealed position within a slot formed in the spindle when the played records are raised for removal. However, spindles of this type have also been found to have certain inherent limitations which make their use undesirable in many cases.

It is the principal object of my present invention to provide an improved spindle for'phonographs of the type mentioned above which will be entirely free from the objections found in similar spindles of the prior art.

Another object of my present invention is to provide an improved turntable spindle for drop type automatic phonographs which will remain fixed in the machine, which will operate effectively to permit release of only one record at a time for dropping onto the turntable, and which will .permit ready and easy removal from the turntable of all of the played records thereon without having to be removed itself.

Another object of my present invention is to provide an improved turntable spindle for phonographs of the type set forth above which, in one form, can be adjusted easily from record supporting condition to a condition permitting ready removal of played records and vice versa by a simple manual manipulation in either case, and which, in another form, will accomplish this change automatically.

Another object of my present invention is to provide an improved turntable spindle as previously set forth which is suitable for use in and can readily be applied to existing drop type automatic phonographs.

Still other objects of my present invention are to provide an improved turntable spindle as described above which is very simple in construction, to provide a spindle which is extremely efi'icient in use and is, in fact, practically fool proof, to provide a spindle which can be manufactured easily and economically in large quantities, and to provide a spindle which is very inexpensive in cost.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of my present invention I accomplish by providing a fixed or stationary spindle which has a lower part formed with a record supporting shoulder and an upper part in prolongation of the lower part above said shoulder and at one side of the spindle axis. At the upper part end of said upper spindle, there is pivotally mounted a record detaining member which can be swung manually either into a position concentric with the lower spindle part or into a second position eccentric thereto. In the latter position, the lower end of the detaining member terminates above the aforesaid shoulder a distance of the order of the thickness of a record. This is to ermit the lowest record of a stack of records supported on the spindle shoulder, and normally held in eccentric relation to the lower spindle part by the upper spindle part and the cooperating detaining member, to be moved later: ally relative to the other records of the stack and into concentric relation with the lower spindle part so it can slide downwardly therealong onto the turntable while the detaining member prevents lateral movement of the remaining records of the stack. After all of the records have been released from the stack in turn and played, the detaining member is swung into concentric relation with the lower spindle part by the mere flip of a finger. In the concentric position, the detaining member is wholly within the peripheral confines of the lower spindle part, so that it presents no extensions beyond the spindle and hence no obstructions to the records which are to be removed. Consequently, the played records can be slid freely up along the entire length of the spindle and removed easily without first having to remove the spindle. In another form of my present invention, the detaining member may be so shaped that it will be automatically swung into the concentric position when the rising records engage its lower end. The detaining member may also be so mounted that it will thereafter return automatically to the eccentric position as soon as the records being removed pass beyond it.

It will be understood that my present invention is capable of receiving a variety of expressions. For purposes of illustration, I have shown: several embodiments in the accompanying drawings in which the same reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of one formof spindle according to my present invention with the record detaining member shown in the eccentric position,

Figure 2 is a similar view with the record dctaining, member shown in the concentric position,

Figure 3 is a top, plan view. of the spindle as shown, in Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a top, plan view of the spindle as shown in Figure 2,

Figures 5 and 6 are'side elevations similar, respectively, to Figures 1 and 2 of a modified form of. spindle according to my present invention,

Figures 7, 8and 9 are side elevations of still another form of spindle according to my present invention, Figure 7 showing the record detaining member in the fully eccentric position which it occupies whena plurality of records are mounted on the spindle, Figure 8 showing the record detaining member in a somewhat displaced position to which it is moved when not more than one record remains in the stack, and Figure 9 showing the record detaining member in the concentric position to which it is automatically moved by the upwardly moving stack of played records as they are being removed.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line II3 III, of Figure 7,

Figures 11 and 12 are side elevations similar to- Figures 7-9' and showing a bent spindle formed according to my present invention,

Figures Band 14 are side elevations similar, respectively, to Figures 1 and 2 and showing still another form of spindle according to my present invention,

Figure 15 is an elevational view as seen from the line I5-I5 of Figure 14, and with the record detaining member in the horizontal, dotted position of Figure 14, and

Figure 16 is a top, plan view as seen from the line I6I5 of Figure 14 with the record detaining' member in the same position.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing, there is shown, in Figures 1-4, a spindle having a lower part Ill-formed with a record supporting shoulder II and an upper part I2 which extends above the shoulder II in prolongation or continuation of the lower part I8. The upper spindle part I2 is preferably located at one side of the axis of the lower spindle part It and is formed at its upper extremity with a yoke I3. Pivotally mounted in the yoke I3 on a pin I4 which extends in a direction at a right angle to the spindle axis is a record detaining member or detent I5. The detent member I5 can be swung on its pivot so as to occupy either a position eccentric to the lower spindle part II], as shown in Figure l, or a position concentric with the lower spindle part ID, as shown in Figure 2.

In the latter position, the detent I5 lies wholly within the peripheral confines of the lower spindle part Ill and may, in fact, constitute a continuation thereof above the shoulder I I. On the other hand, in the eccentric position of Figure 1, the detent I5 is disposed to one side of the spindle part It and it is of such length that its then lower end It is spaced above the shoulder I I a distance slightly greater than the thickness of conventional disc records R.

The diameter of the lower spindle part II] is just under that of the center holes in conventional. disc records. Similarly, the combined transverse dimension (also diameter, as best seen fromE-igures 3 and 4 of the upper spindle part I2 and the detent member I5 is the same. When the detent I5 isin the eccentric position of Figure 1, the upper spindle part I2 cooperates with the detent I5 to maintain the records R in the stack eccentric to the lower spindle part. I8, the lowest record. resting on the shoulder I l. andalso on a suitable supportat its edge in well known manner. Since the then lower end I6 of the detent I5. is spaced above the shoulder il a distance slightly greater than the thickness of a' record the lowest record R can be moved laterally to the left to bring it into concentric relation with the lower spindle part It so that it can slide down therealong to the turntable (not shown), while the detent I 5 prevents the remaining records R from also moving to the left. Thus, each succeeding, new, lowest record can be released from the. stack for dropping'toward theturntable.

When all of, the records have been played, it is merely necessary to swing the detent member I5 in the direction of the arrows AA (Fig. 1). into the concentric position of Figure 2'. This can be done very easily by the simple flip of a finger. Since the detent I5 then forms an uninterrupted, smooth continuation of the lower spindle part Iii, the records It can be readily slid.

up along the entire length of the spindle for facile removal thereof without requiring removal,

of the spindle from the turntable. The spindle part, It] can therefore be permanently mounted in a fixed or stationary position concentric to the turntable. When it is desired to loada new stack of records, the detent I5'is swung in the direction of the arrows B-B'of Figure 2 into the eccentric position of Figure l, whereupon the shoulder II becomes available to support thestack.

If the-detent. I5 is formedwith flat or squaredofi ends, as inFigs. 1-4, it sometimes happens that, while loading'a new stack. of records on the spindle, the detent is accidentally tilted into a horizontal position and then needs resetting. To facilitate threading records on the spindle and minimize the chancev of accidentally tilting.

part I2 is,provided with. a longitudinal bore I8. in which are received 'a coilv spring I9. and. a.

plunger 20." The plunger 20 is arranged to coopward the shoulder II when it is in the fully ec- V centric position of Figure '7 and it extends upwardly away from .the shoulder II when it is swung up into the concentric position of Figure 9. The detent I of this modification of my invention is formed with a suitably curved or tapered end I! which protrudes somewhat above the yoke I3 of the upper spindle part I2 when the detent is in the eccentric position (Figure 7) and which then constitutes the upper extremity of the whole spindle. As in the case of Figure 5, the purpose of making the detent end I! curved or tapered is, to facilitate threading the records on the spindle.

It will be noted that the side or edge 22 of the detent I5 which is adjacent to or faces the upper spindle part I2 when the detent is in the eccentric position is also curved and tapers downwardly away from the upper spindle part as it approaches the detent end I6. The purpose of this is to space the detent end I6 from the upper spindle part I2 so that, when a stack of played records is being raised upwardly along the spindle for removal, the leading or topmost record will engage the detent end I6 and, as the records are raised, will swing the detent I5 up into the concentric position of Figure 9 to permit free and easy removal of the records. Preferably, the detent I5 is also provided with a longitudinal groove 23 in which a leaf spring 24 is mounted. The leaf spring 24 hears against the upper spindle part I2 and tends to force the detent member I5 away somewhat from the upper spindle part I2 to the position shown in Figure 8 so as to space the lower detent end I6 even more from the spindle part I2 and thus insure upward swinging of the detent into the concentric position of Figure 9 by the records being removed.

When a stack of records is loaded onto the spindle, the records compress the spring 24 and hold the detent in the fully eccentric position of Figure 7. As soon as all but the lowermost record B, have been released from the stack, the spring 24 moves the detent I5 to the position of Figure 8. Thereafter, when the played records are raised along the spindle for removal thereof, the uppermost record engages the detent end I6 and swings it up into the concentric position of Figure'9, as described above, after which the detent I5 is again lowered to the position of Figure 8 in readiness for the loading of a new stack of records on the spindle. It is apparent that the spring 24 could be mounted on the upper spindle part I2, if desired, to bear against the detent I5 with equal effectiveness.

Figures 11 and 12 show a spindle having a detent I 5C like that of Figures 7 to 10. However, in the spindle of Figures 11 and 12, the lower spindle part II] is formed with a bend 25. This disposes the upper spindle part I2 angularly relative to the lower spindle part. Consequently, when there are no records on the shoulder II, or at least not more than one record thereon, the detent member I5 will swing out automatically to the solid line position of Figure 12 in response to gravity and it will not be necessary to employ the spring 24 for this purpose When played records are later removed, they will engage the then lower end I6 of the detent member I5 and will swing it up into the dotted line position of Figure 12 above and in substantial extension of the upper spindle part I2. As soon as the records being removed have passed beyond the raised detent member, the latter will immediately and. automatically fall back into the solid line position of Figure 12 under the influence of gravity because the center of gravity of the raised detent lies to the right of the pivot pin I4, as viewed in Figure 12. When a stack of records is loaded onto the spindle, the detent I5 is forced against the upper spindle part I2 and it assumes the position shown in Figure 11.

The modification of my invention shown in Figures 13 to 16 is somewhat similar to that of Figures 1 to 4, but in Figures 13 to 16 the detent member I5D is formed with a longitudinal slot 26 through which the pivot pin I4 passes so that the detent member can not only pivot on the pin I4 but will also be slidable thereon. The detent member I5 is also formed with a pair of oppositely directed fingers 21 which are spaced transversely from the main body portion thereof to provide slots 28 in which a latching tongue 29 is adapted to be received. The tongue 29 serves to positively lock the detent I5 in either its'concentric position (Figure 13) or its eccentric position (Figure 14) against accidental tilting while records are being threaded on the spindle.

To move the last described detent member I5 from its concentric to its eccentric position, it is first raised to disengage it from the latching tongue 29, then tilted clockwise to the horizontal, dotted line position of Figure 13, then pushed to the left and tilted or swung down clockwise again toward the solid line, eccentric position of Figure l4, and finally slid down until the latching tongue 29 is within the then lower slot 28. This firmly latches the detent in its final, operative, eccentric position. To move the detent I5 back to its concentric position in order to permit ready removal of played records, the detent I5 is first raised, then swung "counterclockwise to the horizontal, dotted line position of Figure 14, then pushed to the right and again swung counterclockwise, and finally lowered into latching engagement with the tongue 29.

It will be apparentfrom the foregoing description that I have provided an improved phonograph spindle which can be made a permanent part of a drop type automatic phonograph and need not be removed when it is desired to remove the played records from the turntable. As will be evident to those skilled in the art, many forms of my present invention, other than those described above, are possible, in some of which, for instance, the upper spindle part I2 need not necessarily be altogether to one side of the axis of the lower spindle part II].

It will also be evident that my improved spindle may be used efiectively in many phonographs employing a horizontally disposed spindle with the records arranged thereon in vertical planes. Hence, I desire that my invention shall not be limited except to the extent made necessary by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A phonograph spindle for supporting a stack of records adjacent their center holes comprising a lower part adapted to be supported in a stationary position concentrically with a rotatable turntable, said lower part having a shoulder for engagement-by the lowest record of the stack, an upper part extending upwardly beyond said shoulder in. prolongation of said lower. part and at. one side of the axis thereof, and a detent member pivotally mounted on said upper part for swinging movement from. a position concentric with, said lower part to a position eccentric thereto and vice versa, said detent member, when it isrin said eccentric position, cooperating with said upper partto hold said records eccentric to said, lower part and the then lower end of said detentmember terminating at a point which. is spaced above, said shoulder a distance of the order 1? the thickness of said lowest record whereby said lcwest'record is free to; be moved. laterally of the stack into concentric relation with said lowerspindle part to, permit it to slide down along said; lower part while said detent restrains lateral movement, of the next; highest record. above said: lowermost. record in the stack. said.

detent being pivotally mounted on an axis which is at: right angles. to said spindle axis, and the upper end of said detent member constituting the upper extremity of the spindle when said detent'.member is insaid eccentric position.

2, A. phonograph spindle. .asset. forthin claim 1, wherein the: side 011 said member. facing said. upper spindle part when said" member is in said eccentric. position is angularly related. to: said upper spindle part and tapers downwardly away therefrom on an angle whereby, when a-record. threaded. on said lower spindle. part is slid upwardly therealong-andinto engagement with said lower endofsaidmember, the upwardly moving record. willswing said member into its. said con.- centric positiontc. permit. upward movement. of saidrecord. alongthe entire. length of said. spindlefor. removal. of.saidl recordIv EMILECI GUED'ONL REFERENCES CITED The: following references; are of' record. in the" file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 23281052 Butler Aug. 31, 19 43" 2,355,790 Faulkner Aug. 15', 1944" 2,374,080 Dale Apr. 17, 1945. 

